Flow cytometry: a versatile technology for specific quantification and viability assessment of micro-organisms in multistrain probiotic products

摘要

AimsClassical microbiology techniques are the gold standard for probiotic enumeration. However, these techniques are limited by parameters of time, specificity and incapacity to detect viable but nonculturable (VBNC) micro-organisms and nonviable cells. The aim of the study was to evaluate flow cytometry as a novel method for the specific quantification of viable and nonviable probiotics in multistrain products.